Identification of Relay Cells and Interneurons in the Cuneate Nucleus

The study identified two main types of neurons in the cuneate nucleus: cuneothalamic relay (CTR) neurons and interneurons, by analyzing the responses of 147 neurons to various stimuli. CTR neurons were characterized by antidromic invasion from the medial lemniscus and orthodromic activation by afferent nerve volleys, while interneurons were activated by multiple afferent nerves and cortical stimulation. The study found that cortical stimulation had both excitatory and inhibitory effects on these neurons, with interneurons playing a significant role in presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibitory pathways. The findings highlighted the complex interactions within the cuneate nucleus, with interneurons generally located deeper than CTR neurons.